Think safety with children's gadget gifts

9:01 AM,
Dec. 4, 2012

Written by

Serena Gordon
HealthDay

Gifts of electronic gadgets, like smartphones and laptops, no doubt bring glee to the teens who receive them. But people thinking of giving such devices to a child might want to consider the broader ramifications.

"With teens and these types of gifts, we're really talking about their ability to connect with the larger world," said Dr. Jonathan Pletcher, an adolescent medicine specialist at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. "These gifts come with a responsibility to talk with kids about the rules of engagement, and you have to be willing to have those talks," he explained.